Is Belltown ok? (Seattle: apartments, lease, crime)

[Arual24]

So I'm looking to move to Seattle from Charlotte, specifically the Belltown area (around 2nd and Stewart Street). I've heard mixed reviews about the area but it's mostly posts from years ago. From what I understand, crime used to be bad in that area but it's getting better. I'm a 27-year-old female and I just want to read opinions from people in the area. I know it's a bit more expensive but I've read housing in downtown Seattle is typically expensive.

Thank you.

[GatsbyGatz]

It's centrally located, but Belltown is part of a bar district so you're going to get that kind of crowd, naturally. There are also homeless lurking about since you're essentially in downtown.

As an anecdote, my friend moved from Southern California last year to Belltown to work for Amazon. The moment his lease was up, he moved to Queen Anne. He said the bar crowd and transients became annoying fast. He is much happier living in Queen Anne now.

[Arual24]

GatsbyGatz: Thank you so much! Do you know if the crime getting better in Belltown?

[Hemlock140]

I have not noticed any improvement though it's been a few months since I have heard of a shooting or stabbing there. I walk through Belltown daily at 6:30am and 3:00pm. Almost every day I see broken car glass where someone has done a
smash & grab, many homeless people asleep in the morning, panhandling in the afternoon. Maybe 1-2 times a week I will see the police actively arresting someone. From the news and local people I know here, the worst crime is after closing outside the bars.

[crum1515]

I live in Belltown Currently, 3rd and bell, and while it is louder than I am used to living in the suburbs of Dallas the area feels safe to me, I don't have an issue with the crowds or homeless. I wouldn't deter anyone from living in the area. I would say if you can take a walk around the area and get a feel.

[Arual24]

Thank you both so much. I think walking around and getting a feel of the area is a good idea.

[Kayela]

Thank you both so much. I think walking around and getting a feel of the area is a good idea.

I used to live DT, not far from Belltown, and I'd say make sure you do so at different times of day and night. The biggest problems are when the bars close, but be sure you can tolerate it on Fri and Sat as well. At first the energy is really fun, but after a few negative encounters, and having to be mentally 'on guard' every time you walk out your door - it gets old. I never actually worried about my safety, but there's a whole spectrum between not worrying about your safety and feeling relaxed in your surroundings. At least that's how it was for us. We moved to a more residential, but still very active, walkable neighborhood, and while I miss the convenience of the location, and all the amenities you can find in buildings there, I really don't miss anything else. However it was really fun to try out and I don't regret living there for awhile.

I also used to live in Queen Anne, and ~60% of my new neighbors were people 'escaping' Belltown.

[CrockettandTubbs]

Belltown is great if you got lots of money. If you don't have lots of money, go live in Ballard with everyone else.

[CrazyDonkey]

You might want to look at Lower Queen Anne (Uptown) or the south slope of Queen Anne Hill - lots of apartments to chose from. Just north of Belltown (north of Denny), but still within walking distance of or a short bus ride to downtown. Basically has most of the good points of Belltown with much less of the bad points. Very walkable, excellent transit. Plus has something Belltown has very little of, open space (Seattle Center, Kinneer Park). Lots of restaurants, lounges/bars, coffee bars, a film theatre, grocery stores, and culture/entertainment.

[skidamarink]

Belltown is an expensive neighborhood that looks cheap due to all the vagrants that hang out there and the ghetto people that drive up to go clubbing on the weekends. Every time I go there, dressed in gym sweats or whatever, I always get AT LEAST three men shouting "Yo, where yo man at?!!" or "Hey baby, why you look so sad?" or following me up the street until I acknowledge them. I wouldn't live there if I were you. Not worth the money.